Bill Self knows his way around a basketball court, and he knows his way through an NCAA Tournament. However, the Kansas men's basketball coach recently showed that he knows his way with words as well.

During an offseason practice session last year, the Jayhawks' head coach gathered his team, staff, and practice players around, sharing a few words that should have Kansas fans ready to run through a brick wall.

"Good, good job. But just so you know, do you play harder in the last five minutes than you do in the first 15 minutes?" Self said. "You may compete a little harder, but you should play hard all the time. Courage is not knowing where the finish line is and going as hard as you can."

Self went on to ask just how many of his athletes felt like they had been pushed to their limit that day, and nearly every single person in the gym raised their hand. The Jayhawks' head coach kept it simple: "That was the goal."

He let his team know that the level of effort they all showed that day was what it would take to win games next year, which Self needs his players to do. Last year, the Jayhawks fell from the No. 1 team in the country to a second-round elimination from March Madness.

Not ideal for a coach and a program that are just a few years removed from a National Championship win. However, a blue-chip recruiting class has set up Kansas to turn things around in just a few months' time.

Headlined by five-star shooting guard Darryn Peterson, the Jayhawks hold the No. 6 recruiting class in the country, consisting of one five-star, two four-stars, and two-three stars.

While Kansas will be young during the 2025-26 season, Self has rapidly reshaped his team into a national title contender.